Bautista fractures fingers, test continuation in doubt

Alvaro Bautista's participation in the third and final day of MotoGP pre-season has been put in doubt after the Spaniard suffered two fractured fingers and a knee strain in an accident at Jerez.

Bautista lost control of the Go&Fun-sponsored Gresini Honda at turn five towards the end of the day, an accident that launched him into the air fence and left the RC213V with substantial damage.

Up to that point, Bautista had been making good progress evaluating the Showa suspension, while the arrival of rain shortly after his crash meant he was still classified sixth overall at the end of the day.

However, injuries to his fingers and knee mean he could be forced to sit out the final day of pre-season testing in favour of focusing on a return to full fitness for the MotoGP season opener in less than two weeks' time.

“We didn't need the crash because we were having a good day and getting a lot of work done together with Showa,” he said. “The latest updates were working well but we didn't get to finish the programme we had planned. It's a shame but the only consolation is that we would have had to stop shortly afterwards anyway because of the rain.

“Unfortunately I ended up with fractures to two of my fingers and a knee strain which has put the final day of the test in doubt. We will let the Clinica Mobile doctors assess my condition in the morning and take it from there.”

Team-mate Bryan Staring, meanwhile, continued his steady progress on the CRT Gresini machine, the Australian ninth quickest in class around a circuit he has never ridden before.

“I am really happy because we have been able to make a lot of progress compared to yesterday and, with the help of the team, set some fast and consistent lap times.

“I have to say that I really love Jerez, I reckon it is one of the nicest tracks in the world and that has given me another push. Now we need to confirm our pace tomorrow and try to show everybody and myself what my true potential is.”